Free The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery by Regina Jeffers

onto his Persian rug, but he tightened his hold. “As long as you are safe,” he said softly.
    Meanwhile, Lydia’s loud protestations were added to the clamor. “Lizzy, look what you have started.” She avoided her husband’s bloody hands when she cuddled his head. “What kind of man have you married?” she accused.
    â€œThe best kind, Lydia.” Elizabeth looked lovingly into Darcy’s eyes. “A man of honor. A man of integrity.” She turned in Darcy’s embrace. “Mr. Nathan, would you ask Jasper and Thomas to
escort Lieutenant and Mrs. Wickham safely from Pemberley’s grounds?”
    â€œCertainly, Mrs. Darcy.” He snapped his fingers, and the two footmen appeared.
    â€œI cannot believe it has come to this,” Lydia lamented. “You would turn your own sister away? Your flesh and blood?”
    Elizabeth’s mouth turned downward. “As my marriage vows require, I would cling to my husband above all others.” She shook her head in sadness. “I never wished it to come to this. In the future, should you choose to return to Pemberley, I shall welcome you with open arms, but I shall never subjugate Mr. Darcy’s desire to sever relations with Lieutenant Wickham to my desire to maintain sisterly affection. If you cannot accept those terms, then we shall communicate through the post.”
    As she supported her husband’s rise from the floor, Lydia exclaimed, “You have turned Kitty against me.”
    Elizabeth shot a quick glance to the downcast countenance of a sister she dearly adored, and she noted how Kitty’s mouth twitched with the desire to smile. Kitty, too, found all this drama quite amusing. Miss Catherine Bennet had grown into a sage young woman. “I hope not. I would never place Kitty in a position to have to choose between us.” She silently thought, as you have just required. “And I hope to see you regain the family and friends you have so carelessly sacrificed. The nuptials are a public gathering. You must choose whether you shall stay until Monday for the service. Yet, Pemberley is my home, and I shall determine the events we celebrate and the guests who participate.”
    â€œI see.” Lydia straightened her clothing. “We shall await my parents at the Lambton inn.”
    Wickham staggered to his feet. “That may not be the best idea.”

    â€œWhy ever not?” Lydia demanded. “There is no coach until tomorrow.”
    Darcy eyed Wickham carefully. The man’s nervous mannerisms made him an open book. “If your husband’s demeanor is any indication, Lieutenant Wickham expects to meet those in the area who still hold his markers.” Everyone turned to stare at the wastrel in the King’s uniform.
    â€œI simply prefer not to importune Father Bennet for the cost of our room and return passage,” Wickham said smoothly.
    Darcy laughed sarcastically. “Did you hear, Mrs. Darcy? Your father’s debts grow. You suggested that Mr. Bennet would assume the unexpected cost of an inn stay, but your assumption included the notion that Lieutenant Wickham had previously arranged a return journey to Carlisle. Now, we find that not to be the case. Our brother in marriage requires both passage and room, and I suspect board, as well.”
    Elizabeth said accusingly, “I expect the accuracy of your words, but that is my father’s issue.”
    Kitty said softly. “Mr. Saunders is at Kympton. Perhaps Lydia and Lieutenant Wickham could share the curate’s quarters for the evening. Should I speak to Mr. Winkler? I would not wish Lydia to know any public humiliation.”
    â€œYou do what you consider best, Kitty.” Elizabeth admired how Kitty had handled herself. Her sister had demonstrated a firm resolve, but she had also shown charity, a quality Mr. Winkler had recognized in the young Catherine Bennet—a quality he required in his wife.